Improvement of Disability Rights via Geographic Information Science

Sultan Kocaman,Nadire Ozdemir

doi:10.3390/su12145807

Sultan Kocaman, Nadire Ozdemir

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145807

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jul 19, 2020
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Hacettepe University, Ankara University

Abstract

Rights, legal regulations, and practices often arise from societal and scientific developments, and societal transformations may originate from new legal regulations as well. Basic rights can be re-defined with advancements in science and technology. In such an evolutional loop, where mutual supply is obvious, combined legal and technological frameworks should be exercised and developed for practicing human rights. The main aim of this article is to propose a conceptual and methodological framework for the improvement of disability rights in the light of recent advancements in geographic information science (GIScience), in particular for those with motor disabilities, for whom questions related to “where” are essential. The concept of disability is discussed, considering different aspects, and a new methodological framework is proposed in which Geographic Information Systems (GIS), volunteered geographic information (VGI) and citizen science are at the core. In order to implement the framework at the national and international levels, a spatial data model should be developed first. The new data collection and interpretation approaches based on VGI, citizen science, and machine learning methods may help to realize equal rights for people with motor disabilities, by enabling improved access to education, health, and travel.

Highlights

Disability studies are interdisciplinary, utilizing insights from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, education, and more [1] (p. 5)
The concept of disability is described in a conceptual legal framework that considers the long-term relationship between law and geography, the structural injustice caused by geographies, and the United Nations’ efforts on the rights of persons with disabilities
This study aimed at describing the term ‘disability’ in the environmental and social context, and proposed a conceptual and a methodological framework for reducing inequalities caused by motor disabilities with the help of geoinformation technologies and CitSci

Summary

Introduction

Disability studies are interdisciplinary, utilizing insights from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, education, and more [1] (p. 5). Disability studies are interdisciplinary, utilizing insights from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, education, and more [1] Geographers have an important role in the political struggle against injustices caused by spatial formations that oppress disabled people [2] The term ‘Geographical Information Science’ (GIScience), as discussed by several geographers [3,4,5], has expanded the early definitions of geographical information systems (GIS) While interacting with social structures” [6] As highlighted by the Association of American Geographers [8], GIS and GIScience can contribute to public policy for several crucial issues, such as “climate change, immigration, health, civil rights and racism, transportation, energy, electoral redistricting, natural resources, social justice, the environment, and many others”

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